Cable

Cables can be seen everywhere in different forms and sizes, as small as data cables in mobiles to as large as power cables in thermals.The role of cable as power carriers has been diversified with the evolution of technology. They no longer are power carriers only, they are now the backbone of data transmission system.

A wide range of cable types is founded for different uses, but their primary duty is to conduct electricity only. Electrical cables are mainly used for the transmission, distribution and utilization of electrical power. Cables are the most practical means of conveying electrical power to tools, appliances and machines of all types and can be classified on a number of basis: telephone cables, television cables, video cables, computer cables, medical cables, industrial cables, home cables…

When it comes about materials, cables are made of conductors and insulating materials. Copper and aluminum are the most commonly used metals as conductors in electrical cables because:Due to the magnificent electrical conductivity, excellent ductility and malleability, copper have been unchallenged as a conductor for all types of insulated cables for more than 50-60 years. Apart from that copper has good mechanical strength and shows excellent resistant to corrosion. Its conductivity is largely affected by impurities and mechanical working. After copper, aluminum is the most used metals for manufacturing electrical cables. Like copper, aluminum too has excellent conductivity, ductility and malleability. Its advantage as a conductor over copper is its light weight and low cost. The use of aluminum as conductors came to the fore only after the 1950s, when the price of copper soared.However of all the metals, silver has the highest conductivity but due to its very high cost it can't be used as general electrical cables. Gold too has a very good conductivity.Silver and gold conductors are used in highly sophisticated appliances like computers.

The structure of electrical cable is an assembly consisting of one or more conductors with their own insulations and optional screens, individual covering, assembly protection and protective covering. Electrical cables may be made more flexible by stranding the wires. In this process, smaller individual wires are twisted or braided together to produce larger wires that are more flexible than solid wires of similar size. Bunching small wires before concentric stranding adds the most flexibility.Copper wires in a cable may be bare, or they may be plated with a thin layer of another metal, most often tin but sometimes gold, silver or some other material. Tin, gold, and silver are much less prone to oxidation than copper, which may lengthen wire life, and makes soldering easier. Tinning is also used to provide lubrication between the strand andfor removal of the rubber insulation. Tight lays during stranding makes the cable extensible. Cables can be securely fastened and organized, such as by using cable trays, cable ties or cable lacing.

Can't find what you're looking for? IndustryNet is powered by real people. Contact us for assistance.